Atlantic Mackerel Welfare in Capture and Aquaculture

Key Facts

• Atlantic mackerel are highly active, schooling pelagic fish requiring sustained high oxygen levels
• They are caught in vast quantities by purse seine and pelagic trawl — millions per haul
• Mackerel suffocate rapidly in crowded holds if onboard seawater systems are inadequate
• Live mackerel used as bait in recreational tuna and billfish fisheries face significant welfare concerns
• Research into mackerel aquaculture is ongoing, with welfare challenges around their active, migratory lifestyle

Welfare Considerations

Atlantic mackerel welfare in capture fisheries centers on the suffering of fish in massive purse seine hauls. Oxygen depletion in the net, crushing by body weight, and asphyxiation in the hold are the primary causes of mackerel suffering at capture. Transitioning to refrigerated seawater (RSW) holds and rapid chilling with ice slurry reduces the duration of suffering and improves product quality simultaneously — a case where welfare and commercial incentives align. Live bait mackerel hooking through the snout causes acute pain and represents an area where welfare improvements are feasible with alternative rigging methods.

What You Can Do

• Support MSC-certified mackerel fisheries that use RSW holds and rapid onboard chilling
• Ask seafood retailers about onboard handling practices for mackerel supply chains
• Advocate for welfare standards in pelagic capture fisheries to be developed alongside aquaculture standards
• Support research into electric in-net stunning systems for pelagic capture fisheries
• Raise awareness of capture fisheries welfare as a complement to aquaculture welfare advocacy